Union Leader Urges Action to Combat Oligarchy at AFT Biennial Convention

July 16, 2026 July 16, 2026

Editorial Staff

Union Leader Calls for Action Amid Rising Wealth Disparities at AFT Convention

Before 3,000 Delegates at Union’s Biennial Convention, Union Leader Issues Clarion Call to Tap ‘Power of the People’ to Stop Country’s Slide into Oligarchy

WASHINGTON—Highlighting the stark contrast between the surging wealth of billionaires and the financial struggles of many Americans, AFT President Randi Weingarten urged members to mobilize for the upcoming midterm elections. Speaking to 3,000 delegates at the union's 89th biennial convention, Weingarten emphasized the critical role of the labor movement in countering the nation's growing wealth inequality and political imbalance.

In her keynote address, Weingarten described the wealth and income inequality as "mind-blowing" and a root cause of America's challenges. She called for action in the 111 days leading up to November 3, asserting that the election will determine whether the country is "governed by the people or ruled by the powerful."

Weingarten pointed out that the top 1% of Americans possess as much wealth as the bottom 90%, exacerbating the nation's cost-of-living crisis with rising housing, healthcare, and gas prices. She warned of the influence wielded by billionaires and trillionaires in shaping policies, manipulating markets, and undermining democracy but stressed that they lack "the power of the people to bargain together, to protest together, to vote together, to act together to bring about change."

Emphasizing the role of unions, Weingarten declared, “We use our power for good—against chaos, cruelty and corruption. We care, we fight and we show up—for a better life for all.”

Weingarten announced a robust political strategy for the midterms, aiming to activate 1.3 million AFT members and their families in competitive districts and states. In collaboration with the AFL-CIO, the union plans to engage 2 million new voters. A "Democracy Defenders" program with 50,000 participants will work to protect voting rights against intimidation.

She urged candidates to support policies such as raising the minimum wage to $25, implementing a working families tax cut, and increasing funding for public education while reversing cuts to programs like Medicaid.

Since her election in 2008, Weingarten has led the AFT—part of the AFL-CIO—to significant growth, with membership reaching 1,875,222. The union has expanded with 179 new units and nearly 60,000 new members despite opposition from far-right groups. Recent achievements include $78 billion in student debt forgiveness and numerous lawsuits defending civil rights and education funding.

The AFT has launched national campaigns focused on higher education and healthcare, advocated for AI protections for children, and distributed 11 million books through its Reading Opens the World initiative.

Weingarten criticized the Trump administration's threats to democracy, highlighting actions such as weaponizing the justice system and obstructing fair elections. She condemned President Trump's attempt to politicize America's 250th birthday and continued denial of responsibility for the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, stating, “Mr. President, you don’t own July Fourth, you own Jan. 6.”

Concluding her speech, Weingarten posed critical questions about the nation's future, asking whether it will be one where wealth continues to concentrate among billionaires or one where working people can thrive. She questioned whether society will prioritize profits over people or ensure access to healthcare and education for all. "That," Weingarten declared, "is what’s at stake in November 2026."

The full speech can be viewed here and downloaded here.